Image from www.southwilliam.ie

Way back when we started this site, I nominated the South William as one of my favourite cheap eats in Dublin.  The South William is a bar near Grafton St that served pies, which were made in the wonderful L’Gueuleton around the corner, and were nearly perfect, with interesting fillings and delicious pastry.  They came with a simple side salad, were filling without being stodgy, and best of all, the price was right: only €9 per pie.

When a bunch of thirsty friends were looking for a pub to set up camp on a recent Saturday afternoon, I thought the South William would be the perfect spot.  We could all eat delicious pies in our own time, and have plenty left over to spend on booze.  So we went along and commandeered a corner, and very comfortable and nice it was too.  But the pies are no more.  The simple blackboard of six or seven pies had been replaced with a more comprehensive, but disappointingly pie-free menu.  The new food is by Lolly & Cook, who also have a food stand in the Market Arcade on Georges’ St.  I’ve heard good things about their cupcakes, but unfortunately, their South William menu is nothing particularly original.  The new choice included casseroles, sandwiches, soup and slices of quiche.  We mostly opted for casseroles, which were all ok but nothing special. The prices are still very affordable: the casseroles were all around €9 but the portions were a bit on the skimpy side.

There was general dismay expressed by our group at the lack of pies.  I asked the barman about it, and he said that they discontinued them because they were becoming a bit of a liability for large groups – in his words, “there was always someone who didn’t like pies.” Well. I hope you’re happy, people who ‘don’t like pies’.  You’ve ruined it for the rest of us.

If anyone can suggest a worthy pie successor to the South William, please say the word. Sob.